Andean Condor at Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Our single Andean condor always causes me to stop and contemplate its brothers and sisters, flying thousands of feet above ground, scaring the heck out of and causing wonder in high altitude pilots. One reference I found says condors can fly to 15,000 feet.

Their California condor cousins are making a strong comeback now after near-extintion. They can quite easily be seen at the Grand Canyon, where they have successfully nested in the past decade.

All these fantastic gliding birds are carrion eaters who can spot a meal from miles away.

I like turkey vultures too!